Decoding Formation: Initial Inquiry

Posted on November 8, 2006 by Sister Julie

… a continuation of the Decoding Formation series … click here for the previous post … 

Once a person has a fairly good idea that they are attracted to the religious lifestyle of a particular community, they may enter an informal period called initial inquiry. As the name suggests, this a time when a person first approaches the community to learn more about the community and the process of joining.

Each community has a sister who is responsible for relating with women discerning a vocation. The sister is called a vocation director (or similar title). The sister and woman may exchange emails or letters or have phone conversations. They may meet in person in the woman’s sphere of life or the sister’s or someplace in between. It all depends on what the discerning person is comfortable with. There should be no pressure here. Just some time, however long, to become acquainted with the sister and her community. The sister is also there to support the person in her discernment even if that discernment means connecting with other religious communities or even pursuing a call that doesn’t lead to religious life.

This is a wonderful time of exploration, discovering new things about oneself and God, feeling a little scared and excited at the same time, and striving to remain open to the Spirit, wherever the Spirit may lead.

This period of initial inquiry may lead to taking a completely new direction in life or it may lead to entering a more formal period of time in preparation for applying to enter the community. See the next installment on Aspirancy/Pre-Candidacy.

Filed under: NUN 101

« A Reluctant Voter IHM Founders Day »

20 Responses to “Decoding Formation: Initial Inquiry”

  1. Maria Toth, on November 9th, 2006 at 2:16 am Said:

    Thanks for educating us! I am a member of a lay community (for people in all states of life -incl married) and we have a process whereby people spend time with us before discerning whether to make a commentment.

    God bless
    Maria in the UK
    http://www.inhishands.co.uk

  2. nuns2day, on November 9th, 2006 at 8:03 am Said:

    Hello, Maria. Thank you for the comment. The “stages” in formation are not unique to religious life. In one form or another, they are part of many processes of commitment — such as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or entering a lay community as you mentioned. Formation is really on ongoing task for all of us as we grow in our relationship with God and seek to live the Gospel.

  3. Kristin, on November 9th, 2006 at 11:48 am Said:

    How would I find more information about getting involved in a lay community?

  4. nuns2day, on November 9th, 2006 at 1:34 pm Said:

    I’m not sure if there is a directory of lay communities in the US. I’ll have to check into that. An Online Guide to Religious Ministries at http://www.religiousministries.com may be a helpful resources. Select the “Associates, Oblates, etc.” group and then on the next page enter the keyword “lay” and hit search. That will give you a decent sized group of places to check out. I’ll see if I can find anything else.

  5. Kristin, on November 9th, 2006 at 2:26 pm Said:

    Its a starting place. Thank you for the information :-)

  6. nuns2day, on November 9th, 2006 at 3:44 pm Said:

    Another resource: Marianist Lay Network of North America … “Marianist Lay Communities (MLCs) are intentional Christian communities that collaborate in Mary’s mission to bring Christ to the world” … at http://www.mlnna.com

  7. Anita, on February 8th, 2007 at 9:59 pm Said:

    This is very informative. …I’m trying to dicern my direction.

  8. Sister Julie, on February 9th, 2007 at 7:31 am Said:

    Hi Anita … thanks for the comment. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment here or send me an email. May the Spirit continue to be with you through your discernment.

  9. Danielle, on February 23rd, 2007 at 7:04 am Said:

    I was just wondering if it is possible to become a nun or a sister if you have given birth and have a child?

  10. Sister Julie, on February 23rd, 2007 at 1:47 pm Said:

    Yes, Danielle, it is possible to become a nun or sister if you have a child provided your child is no longer dependent, i.e., they are able to take care of themselves. Sister Julie

  11. ellie, on March 1st, 2007 at 3:30 pm Said:

    Hi Maria

    I’m also in the UK and tring to discern the path intended for me. Can you tell us a bit more about the community you’re involved with?

    Blessings

    Ellie

  12. deborah, on March 21st, 2007 at 9:02 am Said:

    Do nuns have to change there names when entering the convent

  13. Sister Julie, on March 21st, 2007 at 1:56 pm Said:

    The practice on changing names when entering the convent is mixed. Some congregations do have those joining take a name, especially if the person’s given name is not a saint’s name. “Julie” is my give name and also happens to be a saint’s name, as in Saint Julie Billiart, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Thanks for the question, Deborah.

  14. filipinas, on March 24th, 2007 at 8:01 am Said:

    A blessed day to you sister.I just came across your very informative website. I just want to ask if nuns in a monastery have vocation directors or can we write to them,since they are contemplatives and shouldn’t have contacts with the outside world. I just want to know cause I’m planning to enter a the Poor Clare Capuchin here in our place. Thank you sister.

  15. Sister Julie, on March 25th, 2007 at 8:06 pm Said:

    Hi Filipinas, Thanks for the comment. Nuns in monasteries do have vocation directors. Communities which are cloistered do have sisters which handle contact with people outside the monastery. If you were to write or call the monastery, I’m sure they would put you in touch with the vocation director. You may want to send an email to the nuns at Moniales OP as they are contemplatives and could give you some insight.

  16. Camille, on August 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm Said:

    It is good and reassuring to know that other believers are where I am at this point and may be ready to make this huge step in the right direction. I feel very blessed and grateful for the wealth of information.

    Thank you

  17. Antonette, on March 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am Said:

    Hi Sr. Julie and the rest of the people who’ve been giving insightful comments and questions about vocation discernment. I am undergoing one and currently waiting for my chosen Congregation to welcome me as an Aspirant. Coming across this blog is a blessing. Aside from learning a lot about how it is to be a Sister, i am motivated to reflect on a lot of things. Which is rather good, its a check and balance on my part — seeing all angles (including the challenges) to this life i am preparing to enter.

    Please include my spiritual journey in your prayers. God bless us all

  18. Sister Julie, on March 25th, 2008 at 5:35 am Said:

    Blessings to you, Antonette — I will indeed keep you in my prayers.

  19. Jennifer, on April 24th, 2008 at 2:08 pm Said:

    Is it possible to become a Catholic nun if you are divorced?

  20. Sister Julie, on April 25th, 2008 at 4:31 am Said:

    Hi Jennifer, yes it is possible. If married in the Catholic church, you’d need to seek an annulment. If not, it’s possible you still might need to seek an annulment. I’ll have to check on that with a canon lawyer.

Leave a Reply